My Band-saw experience (cardboard)

The first cut was.. terrifying!


Why did I decide on something so round?



Not too bad I'd say. Although terrifying the cardboard really helped.

Objects for the vessel

Too many rings, not enough storage


A habit too many people need help with. Smokers know, lighters disappear everyday!


Again with the lighter issues. How to keep these guys safe and accessible.

David Pye Reading reflection

This reading made me realize how many people consider “cheaper” as “better”. We are always trying to get the most for our money to put us ahead in life. This reading by Pye also re-opened my eyes to how the standards of society are shaping/manipulation our entire world. Throughout most of the reading Pye had a negative tone towards the manipulation that society has on ever aspect of our world. 

It wasn’t until the end that the authors tone changed by saying that design can create happiness through beautifying the environment. For me this brought to life a new outlook on the uncontrollable manipulation of society.

Vessel project ideas

Idea sketching

Holder for cigarettes and a lighter

Jewelry holder in the String Cheese Incident logo (String Cheese is a band for all of you that didn't know)

Crazy ideas for jewelry holder

Googling "bandsaw box ideas" gave me some insanely complex ideas. Are these even possible?

Three possible ideas. Not content with any of them yet.

Photo Collage Ideas

The Kaw River - as the season turns to spring (leaves/colors)

The North Fork - during a show from beginning to end

The Campanile - from day to night

Mass St. - from day to night (moving down the street from 11th-6th)

Lynch City & Its Elements Reflection

This article talks about several spatial elements: paths, edges, districts, nodes, and landmarks. Lynch gives many examples of these elements using well known cities and areas that many people may recognize.

Lynch describes paths as channels that the audience moves within. Edges are described as linear elements that are simply boundaries between two or more areas. Although they are not considered paths, edges can be used as paths if an actual path is not easy to identify. Another element; districts, are usually two large areas that have common identifiable characteristics between them. Nodes are a breaking place in transportation. For example, the circular nodes that my group used within our project to mark turning points. Nodes are places that people feel heightened attention is needed. Lynch explains landmarks are physical identifiable references. Landmarks around KU would be Allen Fieldhouse, the Jayhawk outside of Strong Hall, the Union, etc..

All of these elements are extremely important, especially within our wayfinding project. Using paths and nodes were the two elements that my group used the most effectively. This is mainly because there aren’t many landmarks throughout the Art and Design building. This article really brought to life the important aspects to incorporate in this wayfinding design project. 

Verplank - Chapter 2 - Designing Interactions

Bill Verplank is an interaction designer. What is an interaction designer you ask.. It’s a field of study with human-computer interaction and software development. Interaction design is all about shaping digital things for people’s use. This article talks about how Verplank got him PhD from MIT in man-machine systems. So basically, the exact definition of “interaction design.” He then summarizes interaction design by answering three things. How you act, how you feel, and how you understand? He also exclaims that as the interaction designer, you have to also answer three questions. How do you know, how do you feel, and how do you do?

This reading gives a great break down to the definition of interactive design and the intense process that goes into it. Verplank says that communication is just one of the many important aspects to this sort of design. Interactive design is very relevant to our project of wayfinding because as designers we have to be very wary of how the paths and makers are affecting the audience. How are they making them act, feel and understand an area?